Princess Maritza | Page 7

his
employer? Why should not a soldier look for high favor at Court?"
"Such favor must be won, Captain Ellerey."
"I am willing to win it," "Patience. You shall not always find those
fastnesses deserted, those riots quelled when you arrive. This is the
waiting time, the preparing time, and there are difficulties in the way of
promotion. Let me ask you, are you loved in your regiment?"
"Neither loved nor hated."
"And in the city?"
"I have few friends. A Captain of Horse does not command them."
"That is not the reason. It is because you are a foreigner," De Froilette
answered. "You are welcome to fight this country's battles, welcome to
get killed in them, but you must not participate in any rewards. If
Sturatzberg could do without us, how many foreigners would wake
tomorrow in the city, think you?"
"All Europe has talked of such a rebellion, but it does not come," said
Ellerey.
"It will," was the answer, "and if you are strong enough you may take
the reward."
"You speak in riddles."
"Is it wise to speak plainly?" and De Froilette swept out his arm as
though the prospect before them gave the answer. They had left the
woods and the rough country behind them, and were approaching
houses, for Sturatzberg had grown and spread itself beyond its walls. In
the distance the lights of the city blinked under the dome of growing
darkness, while to the right a long line of light marked the citadel and
the palace of the King.
"There are ever-watchful eyes, ever-waking ears about us, looking and

listening for treachery," De Froilette went on. "Every man suspects his
neighbor, and has fingers ready for the knife handle. Yonder in the
citadel, amid the laughter and the music, a dozen plots will creep
forward a space before the dawn. Does monsieur, the Captain, long to
play a part in the intrigues there?"
"Yes, so that it is honest."
"Monsieur must decide. We part here, it is better so. Come to me
to-night, at the Altstrasse, 12, at ten o'clock. We can talk further. Until
then, au revoir" and De Froilette put his horse into a canter, leaving
Ellerey to pursue his way alone.
Entering the city by the eastern gate, Ellerey crossed the Konigplatz at
walking pace on his way to his lodging by the Western Gate. They
were a pleasure-loving people in Sturatzberg, working as little as
possible, and spending without a thought of the morrow. The cafes
were full to-night, the laughter sounded genuine enough, and there was
little indication of the coming storm of revolution so confidently
predicted by De Froilette. Ellerey's mind was busy with the events of
the afternoon. For two years he had been in Sturatzberg, ready to seize
the opportunity of distinguishing himself whenever it arose. It had not
come yet. His life had been passed on a dead level of inactivity, and the
stirring times he had hoped for seemed as far away as ever. Many a
time had his thoughts gone back to that breezy morning on the downs,
and he devoutly wished that Princess Maritza would come to
Sturatzberg, so that he might go to her, claim friendship with her, and
ask for that work for his good right arm which she had promised to give.
Who was this De Froilette, and why should he take an interest in him or
wish to help him? For such favors there was always a price to be paid
in some form or other. Would it be wise to go to the Altstrasse? And
another question came to him, a question that set his pulse beating
faster for a moment. Was this De Froilette an emissary of the Princess
Maritza? Might she not be in Sturatzberg now? Might he not see her
to-night? "I would risk anything for that," he said, as he swung himself
from the saddle, "and whatever the adventure is, so that it has a spice of
danger in it, it is welcome. I shall know how to take care of myself if

the price asked be too heavy."
A big, bearded man came forward to take the horse, and the manner in
which he drew the back of his hand across his mouth suggested that he
had left the tankard hastily.
"Has anyone inquired for me, Stefan?"
"No, Captain, I have been undisturbed until now," the man answered in
a deep voice well suited to his frame, as he led the horse away.
Knowing his soldier-servant's weakness and his capacity for indulging
in it with impunity, Ellerey wondered how long a time he would
require undisturbed before signs of his potations showed themselves.
Drink heavily he certainly did, but since he never exhibited any ill
effects from it, at night or morning,